Page 77 of Risks

“At Walmart,” she says and laughs. “Sorandom. But it felt like a sign. The universe kept throwing him at me.”

Jesiah holds her hand on the tableas they stare into each other’s eyes. “I asked her out again, and she said yes.She followed me back to Baltimore.”

Shanice sucks her teeth and lightlyslaps his arm. “He wouldn’t stop begging me. Luckily, I got a job here, so Idecided to move.”

“What kind of work do you do?” I ask,curious about her.

Pride curtains her face as sheanswers. “Speech therapy at the children’s hospital.”

“Oh, cool. That’s great.”

She smiles at me. “Thank you.”

We finish eating and move into theliving room, talking some more.

After a while, Jesiah mentions ice creamand hurries off to retrieve it. I suspect it’s on purpose to leave Shanice andme alone for a bit.

“I was nervous about meeting you,but I’m so glad we got the chance.”

“Me too. It was important to Jesiahsince you’re his partner.”

Jesiah returns with a tub of vanillaice cream, spoons, and small bowls.

Shanice gives him an odd look whenhe settles beside her. He returns an iffy one. At a slight shake of his head,she drops her eyes to her lap, flicking her nails in thought while he scoopsice cream for us.

“Thanks,” I accept with a smallsmile when he hands me a bowl.

I’m trying to enjoy the frozendessert, but Shanice’s brief gesture left me unnerved. It doesn’t help thatthey’re exchanging looks, with Jesiah clearing his throat in between.

Setting the bowl on the coffeetable, I come out with it. “Is something wrong?”

Both steady their eyes on me.

“No,” Jesiah mutters, wringing hishands.

“Would you mind doing a test?”Shanice blurts out in a quick breath.

Jesiah snaps his head to her.“Shanice, seriously?”

She scowls. “I’m sorry, it’s just—”

“A paternity test?” I clarify, feelingill all of a sudden.

That draws back their attention tome.

“You don’t think I’m really yourdaughter?” I ask Jesiah.

“It’s better to be sure,” Shanice explainssoftly. “I just don’t want you getting close only to find out later that you’renot. It’d be devastating.”

Jesiah sighs heavily and rubs hisforehead. “I told you not to bring that up.”

She touches his arm. “You have tomake sure. I’ve seen stuff like this before.”

Anger burns in my blood at her words.“Are you saying my mom is a whore? That she was sleeping around with differentguys back then?”

Shanice gasps. “No, Toya, that’snot—”

“It’sLatoyato you,” I snapand straighten from the chair.

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